Manipur: Identification of four of six recovered bodies completed, families seek justice over brutal killing

The identification process of six recovered bodies, suspected to be those of Naga persons who were reported missing after being allegedly abducted in May, was underway at the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) morgue on Thursday, June 11 with four of the six bodies identified so far.

The bodies were brought to the JNIMS morgue in the early hours of the day, following which the identification process began around 2 pm and continued till the filing of this report at around 8.15 pm. The post-mortem examination is yet to be conducted.

Family members of the victims alleged that most of the recovered bodies were found in a severely mutilated condition, stating that the condition of the remains had left them deeply distressed.

Paisho Thuimai, a family member of the victims, said two of the six deceased persons were his brothers. He said the sight of the recovered bodies had caused immense grief and anger among the family members.

“Out of the six bodies, only one body was intact and fully identified. It appeared that he was thrown into water with his hands tied behind his back. The remaining bodies were mutilated, butchered and beheaded. We could not find single joints in some cases. In one case, the head part could not be found,” he said while describing the condition of the recovered remains.

Thuimai appealed to the Government of India and the Manipur government to ensure justice for the victims’ families. He said repeated delays had affected their confidence in the authorities.

“We are losing hope in the government because for many days we have been made to wait. But we want to appeal once again to make things right and give us justice. We believe they can do it if they want to,” he said.

He further informed that identification of around four persons had been completed and that further procedures would follow after completion of the identification process.

Several political leaders, including Manipur Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam, former Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren Singh and Naga legislators, visited JNIMS to meet people gathered at the hospital and express solidarity with the affected families.

However, Thuimai said he did not personally receive any assurance from the ministers or legislators during their visit, though interactions with other leaders may have taken place.

Regarding the location where the bodies were recovered, he said the remains were found around Leilol Vaiphei village, but added that the government had not officially disclosed the exact location of recovery.